Proof that I am a Christian…
A friend just sent me an e-mail that reminded me of something that obviously we both despise.
From time to time I will get an inspirational e-mail from some well-intentioned person. It is often thought provoking and somewhat encouraging. At the end it challenges my faith by informing me that if I did not forward the email that I was not standing up for Christ.
Paris, Texas
This past weekend I was in Paris, Texas. I was there to visit one of our CFI churches. Paris is some of the old stomping ground around where I was born and raised. For you who may not know, Paris is a bedroom community 98 miles northeast of Dallas. The local residents like the humorous slogan “Second Largest Paris in the World.” Following a tradition of American cities named Paris, a 65-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower was constructed in 1993 in Paris Tennessee. In 1998, presumably as a response to the 1993 construction of the tower in Paris, Tennessee, 
the city placed a giant red cowboy hat atop the tower. Texans cannot tolerate being outdone. Anyway we enjoyed our time of fellowship and staying in the home of Pastor Paul and Susan Dearinger. The church is filled with warm, caring and friendly people. I always enjoy my trip to Paris….Texas that is.
Craig’s List…
A few months ago I discovered Craig’s list. I knew it existed but I had no need for it because I wasn’t in the market to buy or sell stuff. Well since we decided to downsize I have been actively downsizing. First I advertised my motorcycle on Craig’s list and was amazed how quickly it sold. Today I listed our Schwinn Airdyne Exercise Bike/Clothes Rack. It has very low mileage and is like new. So I am expecting a buyer soon. I will, decide about the brand new pool table soon or it could go with the house. The same goes for the hottub. Preacher’s wife said I cannot replace any of this stuff when we get to the new home. Preacher’s wife also said I have to get rid of even more stuff.
Why She Stayed…
Gayle Haggard Is either Insane or maybe one of the greatest models we have of true Christianity.
What do you think about Gayle Haggard?
It’s been a little over 3 years since Gayle’s husband, evangelical leader Ted Haggard, admitted to “sexual immorality”, a confession he made after a Denver male escort claimed he and Haggard had a three-year sexual relationship.
Gayle and her husband went through the most gut wrenching, humbling, and public failures in ministry that we’ve seen in decades. They lost their church, their home, and immediately lost their prominence as the face of evangelicalism. The details of their descent to rock bottom were pictured in the HBO documentary “The Trials of Ted Haggard”, directed by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s daughter, Alexandra Pelosi.
Lakewood Church’s Unique Ministry…
Lakewood Church and its pastor Joel Osteen have received a lot of negative press in recent years. They’ve been accused of being too big, impersonal and even watering down the gospel. I came across this story of what Joel’s mother, Dodie Osteen is doing outside the four walls of Lakewood Church. I find it difficult to understand how anyone’s heart could find fault with her or this outreach. I was personally moved. Watch the video for yourself below…
On a recent overcast winter morning in front of the building, a new program was launched. It’s a drive through healing service led by Dodie Osteen, who says she received a message she couldn’t ignore.
“He just said in my heart, why don’t you have a drive by healing service? And it’s the first one I’ve ever had. I didn’t know what would happen, but if one person comes that doesn’t matter. I’m doing what God told me to do.”-Dodie Osteen.
Watch the video after the “jump:”
Overstock Sale…
As most of you know we are downsizing, therefore we are going through the house trying to decide what to keep and what to get rid of. I never dreamed this would be so hard. A new pool table I bought just 5 weeks ago has to go. A hot tub that is less than 5 years old, has to go. Several pieces of rustic furniture that fits my personality has to go. Letting go of stuff is not as easy I thought it would be. I am sure there is a spiritual lesson in all of this. Stuff, it’s just stuff.
Hear this! I counted 9, yes, I said nine TV’s. According to my dad that amount of televisions would put me in hell. In fact he was pretty sure one would do it. I will never forget as long as I live my dad telling me that if I watched TV my eyes would become the size of grapefruits and my brain the size of a peanut. Come to think of it there might be some truth in that, except for the hell part. Anyway we have 9 TV’s and 8 of them have to go. Any ideas?
Ron Corzine
Better known as Son of a Preacher, Ron started the first Christian Fellowship Church in Harlingen, Texas in 1982 and presently serves as a counselor, consultant and apostolic overseer to multiple churches and ministries. He travels nationally and internationally motivating and challenging people to be effective in their call and ministry to their local church, their community, and the marketplace.Ron and his wife Anne were married in 1968. They have three children, six grandchildren and presently reside in San Antonio, Texas.
Ron is the founder and president of Christian Fellowship International. Click to email Ron.
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